ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - What a way to start American Athletic Conference play - against the defending national champions. UCF's New Year's Eve contest against No. 4 Louisville at CFE Arena will serve as the first league game for The American.

The contest will air on ESPN2, marking the first time that the network has televised a UCF home game.

The Cardinals will be the highest ranked opponent to play the Knights in Orlando and will serve as only the third top-25 foe to visit UCF.

Two of UCF's three all-time wins over top-25 teams have come during head coach Donnie Jones' tenure. Jones is in his fourth campaign at UCF and led the Knights to a win in their last matchup with a defending national champion. On Nov. 25, 2011, UCF rallied from a big second-half deficit to defeat No. 4 UConn, 68-63, at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas.